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Eastern Orthodox 100%Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 100%Roman Catholic 100% So how can I be 100% Roman Catholic if I did not agree that authority is vested in one person or a group of people?

Yeah that quiz seems badly designed...

They need to add a couple of more questions to distinguish better between EO and RC.For example:1. Do you agree that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and from the Son?2. Do you believe in Purgatory?3. Do you agree with playing instrumental music, such as organ music, during Church services?

Thanks for the replies and information.

"stanley123's" questions 1 & 2 would make the difference, I know this reply by "stanley123" was written seriously, and is a serious question, but question 1 made me laugh.

However, being in the GOAA, question "3" might not necessarily distinguish the Eastern Orthodox from Roman Catholics, not that I don't understand it to be a canonical matter.

6. In making the sign of the cross, the righthand touches the left shoulder first, and the right shoulder after that.

Dude, the sign of the cross is not a matter of Faith, it's a matter of Practice.Besides, WRO and OO both do the sign of the cross from left to right.

Correct. It is just a question to be added to the others. In Yugoslavia, when they wanted to see who was RC and who was EO, they would ask the boys to make the sign of the cross. That gave them their answer.

You're still forgetting that some canonical EO cross themselves from Left to Right.

And of course, there are some Catholics (Eastern Catholics) who cross themselves from right to left. So that one question is not sufficient by itself to distinguish EO from RC in 100% of the time.

Which is exactly my point...

Of course, some answers could distinguish WRO from EO or Byzantine Catholics from RC.But if you object, we could always throw out the question.

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die [...] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." -The Lord Jesus Christ

No longer active on OC.net. Please pray for me and forgive any harm I might have caused by my ignorance and malice.

May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind always be at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face,the rain fall soft upon your fieldsand until we meet again,may God hold you in the palm of his han

Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

Eastern Orthodox 100%Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 100%Roman Catholic 100% So how can I be 100% Roman Catholic if I did not agree that authority is vested in one person or a group of people?

Yeah that quiz seems badly designed...

They need to add a couple of more questions to distinguish better between EO and RC.For example:1. Do you agree that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and from the Son?2. Do you believe in Purgatory?3. Do you agree with playing instrumental music, such as organ music, during Church services?

Thanks for the replies and information.

"stanley123's" questions 1 & 2 would make the difference, I know this reply by "stanley123" was written seriously, and is a serious question, but question 1 made me laugh.

However, being in the GOAA, question "3" might not necessarily distinguish the Eastern Orthodox from Roman Catholics, not that I don't understand it to be a canonical matter.

6. In making the sign of the cross, the righthand touches the left shoulder first, and the right shoulder after that.

Dude, the sign of the cross is not a matter of Faith, it's a matter of Practice.Besides, WRO and OO both do the sign of the cross from left to right.

Correct. It is just a question to be added to the others. In Yugoslavia, when they wanted to see who was RC and who was EO, they would ask the boys to make the sign of the cross. That gave them their answer.

You're still forgetting that some canonical EO cross themselves from Left to Right.

In the WR forum there's a thread saying most WRiters cross themselves in the same way as the Byzantines, which I believe is the pre-schism method.

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Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

i think all these 'orthodox' results confirm that the quizz is not too bad, not that there are so many orthodox people here! we validate it, not the other way round remember not to rely to heavily on the computer!

but deborah, maybe u should change the 'faith' section of yr profile now!

i think all these 'orthodox' results confirm that the quizz is not too bad, not that there are so many orthodox people here! we validate it, not the other way round remember not to rely to heavily on the computer!

but deborah, maybe u should change the 'faith' section of yr profile now!

lol Mabsoota I think you're right...but what could I change it to? I'm not a catechumen yet

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"You have made us for yourself, Lord; and our hearts are restless until they rest in You" - St. Augustine (my patron saint)

i think all these 'orthodox' results confirm that the quizz is not too bad, not that there are so many orthodox people here! we validate it, not the other way round remember not to rely to heavily on the computer!

but deborah, maybe u should change the 'faith' section of yr profile now!

lol Mabsoota I think you're right...but what could I change it to? I'm not a catechumen yet

But you are most certainly an 'inquirer', correct?

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From my youth have many passions warred against me, but do Thou Thyself defend and save me, O Saviour.

I was curious to see what my results would be given that on a good chunk of the questions I marked "no preference," since I am still working a lot of my beliefs out. I guess my first result makes sense. I know a lot of Episcopalians who aren't sure what exactly they believe.

i think all these 'orthodox' results confirm that the quizz is not too bad, not that there are so many orthodox people here! we validate it, not the other way round remember not to rely to heavily on the computer!

but deborah, maybe u should change the 'faith' section of yr profile now!

lol Mabsoota I think you're right...but what could I change it to? I'm not a catechumen yet

But you are most certainly an 'inquirer', correct?

Thanks Kevlev - yes for sure

Faith section updated

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"You have made us for yourself, Lord; and our hearts are restless until they rest in You" - St. Augustine (my patron saint)

'Evil isn't the real threat to the world. Stupid is just as destructive as evil, maybe more so, and it's a hell of a lot more common. What we really need is a crusade against stupid. That might actually make a difference.'~Harry Dresden

I wouldn't exactly call myself a New Ager though. I suppose it's the closest thing on the list.

But isn't Helena Blavatsky (on your profil picture) a leading name in the New Age Movement? Helena was rather a patchwork-theosophist. If at the time when Blavatsky lived, would exist such accessible and rich informations about different religious traditions, she would be perhaps also a classical New Ager.

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

I wouldn't exactly call myself a New Ager though. I suppose it's the closest thing on the list.

But isn't Helena Blavatsky (on your profil picture) a leading name in the New Age Movement? Helena was rather a patchwork-theosophist. If at the time when Blavatsky lived, would exist such accessible and rich informations about different religious traditions, she would be perhaps also a classical New Ager.

Well, she is often referred to as the mother of New Age, but the modern movement postdates her. Theosophy, which Blavatsky taught, is the belief that there exists an esoteric spiritual core to the various religions of the world (though it has become distorted in some more than others) that was taught by the likes of Jesus, Buddha, Plato, Pythagoras, etc. New Age, on the other hand, is more or less an amalgamation of Blavatsky's contributions with various other writers (of course New Age is very diverse, so some forms may be more devoted to a particular source). I suppose it would not be entirely inaccurate to call Theosophy New Age, so long as it was distinguished from some of the modern practices/beliefs that go under that name. I say this not to disparage the New Age movement (which I believe has a lot to contribute to the world), but that many Theosophists will distance themselves from its more superstitious and dangerous manifestations.

« Last Edit: December 29, 2012, 07:15:53 PM by Ioannis Climacus »

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Note : Many of my posts (especially the ones antedating late 2012) do not reflect charity, tact, or even views I presently hold. Please forgive me for any antagonism I have caused.

I say this not to disparage the New Age movement (which I believe has a lot to contribute to the world),

Are you kidding me?. I know so many people (and myself) who were destroyed by New Age, especially mentally, but also physically. And so many who converted from New Age/Theosophy to the living Christ and there's hardly a vice versa tendency. New Age and Theosophy are dead philosophies, because among other things you cannot find any models or rather saints there. It's mind-worshipping. You worship your own "glorious" subjective ideas of life and "God"/truth. It's pride. There's no humility. It's a patchwork-truth.Please forgive me that I write so bold against it. I wouldn't do it, If I weren't a former New Ager.

I say this not to disparage the New Age movement (which I believe has a lot to contribute to the world),

Are you kidding me?. I know so many people (and myself) who were destroyed by New Age, especially mentally, but also physically. And so many who converted from New Age/Theosophy to the living Christ and there's hardly a vice versa tendency. New Age and Theosophy are dead philosophies, because among other things you cannot find any models or rather saints there. It's mind-worshipping. You worship your own "glorious" subjective ideas of life and "God"/truth. It's pride. There's no humility. It's a patchwork-truth.Please forgive me that I write so bold against it. I wouldn't do it, If I weren't a former New Ager.

Do you see any positive qualities to the New Age movements?

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If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

I cannot find any positive qualities, which the christian or rather orthodox belief hasn't already. For the most people the New Age Movement or Theosophy is easy accessibly, because you can, in an individual way, take from the various religions what you need and New Age/Theosophy doesn't condemn all other religions and denominations theoretically(!), but they give you a harmonic religious system, that "there exists an esoteric spiritual core to the various religions of the world." But when you're a New Ager you're becoming more and more proud, thinking that you're spritual higher than other people. Sure, this can also happen when you're an orthodox christian, but much less.

I say this not to disparage the New Age movement (which I believe has a lot to contribute to the world),

Are you kidding me?. I know so many people (and myself) who were destroyed by New Age, especially mentally, but also physically. And so many who converted from New Age/Theosophy to the living Christ and there's hardly a vice versa tendency. New Age and Theosophy are dead philosophies, because among other things you cannot find any models or rather saints there. It's mind-worshipping. You worship your own "glorious" subjective ideas of life and "God"/truth. It's pride. There's no humility. It's a patchwork-truth.Please forgive me that I write so bold against it. I wouldn't do it, If I weren't a former New Ager.

People have been "destroyed" in nearly every sect and religion. It entirely depends on the mindset and the aspirations of the individual in question. The biggest problem with New Age is the arrogance and self-indulgence of many of its practitioners. Many (but certainly not all) New Agers are self-centered (in the bad way) and use (or attempt to use) the occult for their own end and for self-satisfaction. This is evil and it will ultimately destroy a man. It is nothing short of black magic and spiritual sorcery. Every religion is as flawed as its practitioners, so the New Age is no different.

Theosophy is, in this respect, the complete opposite. Theosophists devote (or should devote) themselves to altruism, humility, love, etc. For a Theosophist, the occult (if it is to be used at all) must never be used for selfish reasons, but only for benefit of those in need and for the betterment of humanity. Theosophy, like the occult, is esoteric. It is not our goal to make of the world a great number of Theosophists. The various religions of the world have assisted mankind and will continue to do so as they evolve alongside their practitioners. Theosophy is also not "mind-worshiping". If anything, it is the worship of the divine Spirit that is in and is every human being, every atom, and indeed everything that is. Theosophy is about recognizing that everything shares in divinity - to this end, love and brotherhood have no higher manifestations than self-sacrifice.

Just out of curiosity, how many Theosophists have you met? Have you met enough to claim that there are no "role models/saints"?

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Note : Many of my posts (especially the ones antedating late 2012) do not reflect charity, tact, or even views I presently hold. Please forgive me for any antagonism I have caused.